Preview: Feyenoord vs. VVV-Venlo - prediction, team news, lineups

Having not won any of their last three league games, Feyenoord welcome VVV-Venlo to De Kuip on Saturday aiming to get back to winning ways.

The hosts were victorious when the teams met in December's reverse fixture, so a win here would complete a league double over their visitors.

Match preview

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Feyenoord were defeated 4-2 away at AZ Alkmaar in a crunch clash between two European hopefuls at the AFAS Stadion on Sunday.

Dick Advocaat's men took the lead twice through Marcos Senesi and Luis Sinisterra, but their advantage was short-lived on both occasions, and they failed to respond when they went behind.

As a result of that loss, De Stadionclub remain in fifth place after failing to capitalise on an opportunity to move above AZ into third spot on the log.

Worryingly for the home side, sixth-placed Groningen are bearing down on them, and they now run the risk of missing out entirely on qualification for European football.

However, Saturday's hosts have won four games on the spin against their visitors, so they will be confident of carrying the day once again.

VVV-Venlo were beaten for the fourth league game in a row following a 4-1 defeat to Vitesse at the GelreDome on Saturday.

Hans de Koning's men were level at half time, but their second-half display was largely underwhelming and unsurprisingly, they paid the ultimate price.

The two sides clashed in the semi-final of the KNVB-Beker on Tuesday when Vitesse came out on top to book their spot in the final.

Barely a month ago, Venlose Trots were on a five-game unbeaten streak in the league during which they picked up 13 points, and any concerns about relegation looked to have been squashed.

As things stand, Saturday's visitors are just five points above the drop, and they urgently need to arrest their current slump in form to avoid being sucked into the battle for survival.

Feyenoord Eredivisie form: LWWDDL
Feyenoord form (all competitions): WWLDDL

VVV-Venlo Eredivisie form: WWLLLL
VVV-Venlo form (all competitions): LLWLLL

Team News

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Steven Berghuis hobbled off against AZ with a knock last time out, but he is expected to recover in time to feature in this one.

The Dutch attacker has proven to be a thorn in Venlo's flesh, scoring three goals in his last two appearances against them.

Christos Donis picked up a minor thigh problem in the away side's cup exit in midweek, and he will be sitting the game out as a precautionary measure.

Vito van Crooy remains in isolation after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for coronavirus, and it is still unclear if he will be available for the fixture.

Tristan Dekker is a long way off making his return to action as he continues to nurse a muscle tear, and he will miss the clash.

Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Marsman; Geertruida, Spajic, Senesi, Malacia; Toornstra, Fer, Diemers; Berghuis, Jorgensen, Linssen

VVV-Venlo possible starting lineup:
Kirschbaum; Guwara, Da Graca, Gelmi, Pachonik; Linthorst, Janssen, Post; Shabani, Giakoumakis, Hunte

We say: Feyenoord 3-1 VVV-Venlo

Both teams are going through a rough patch at the moment, and a win for either side would brighten the mood. We are backing Feyenoord to get their continental aspirations back on track by claiming all three points in this one.